LG Washer WM2277HW drum clicking sound?

[Brcobrem]

Hi Appliantology Forum!

I have a LG Washer WM2277HW. I recently noticed that when the drum begins to spin, like when a wash job first starts and it's testing the load weight, or when it's starting a spin cycle, that I hear a clicking sound. I don't recall hearing it in the past. I'm able to reproduce this sound by pulling in and out on the drum. I've attached a short 3 second video that demonstrates this. Please excuse the video quality, but you'll get the idea. Here's a link: LG Washer WM2277HW drum in&out clicking noise.

Before something breaks, do I need to stop using the machine and do a repair asap? Btw, I'm not timid about working on this machine. I've had the back off and done the hall sensor a couple times over the years. 

I greatly appreciate your help, comments and suggestions.

Regards . . .

 

 

[MrApplianceMatt]

It would seem that the rear bearing is failing. Depending on how severe the wear is it could be a deal-breaker. I've seen the rear tub melt around the bearing\seal seat in extreme cases of neglect. You also would need to assess whether the drum support spider is cracked or broken. Either of these usually result in the machine jumping around during spin.

[Brcobrem]

Hi MrApplianceMatt,

Thank you very much for your diagnosis. You mentioned "drum support spider". I can't find any reference to what they are. But . . . I failed to mention that when facing the washer, that sound is coming from the right side of the drum. Read on please :

If you look at page 41 ( https://manualsbrain.com/en/manuals/831997/?page=41 ) and 43 ( https://manualsbrain.com/en/manuals/831997/?page=43 ) they show "motor dampers" (p/n K610 and K611). Think they are suspect? (if yes, looks like I'm going to get more experience removing that stator again, ha!)

I look forward to your thoughts (and anyone else please chime in if you want to).

Regards . . .

[MrApplianceMatt]

3 hours ago, Brcobrem said:

You mentioned "drum support spider

LG refers to this as the washer spinner support. It's colloquially known as a spider. This is what the rotor bolts on to. You can't see it very well in the parts diagram but it's K115 and it bolts to the back of the spin basket, passes through the tub seal, bearing, and tub where the rotor can be installed. https://www.searspartsdirect.com/product/4aolue0k2k-0026-795/id-4434er0002a

The dampers are a symptom of a problem. If there is lateral play between the tub and the basket then either the bearing is shot or the spinner support is cracked. This will cause excessive vibration prematurely wearing out the dampers.

[Brcobrem]

Hi MrApplianceMatt,

Thank you again for your very helpful reply. Would you say that the next step is to take the back panel off, take stator off, and get a good look in there? Is that the recommended course of action at this point?

I continue to appreciate your guidance.

Regards . . .

P.S. I just advised the boss that until this is sorted out, please use small loads, and manually set the spin speed down to medium. I believe we can limp it along a bit more this way. It only makes that knocking/clicking sound when it first starts up spinning ( or if I move it by hand as in the video I provided above).

[MrApplianceMatt]

You can gauge the seal condition by pulling the rotor and looking for leakage around the driveshaft and inside the stator. The only way to visually confirm the spinner support is to remove the tub/basket assembly, split the tub and remove the basket. Not for the faint of heart and if you're going to go that far, you may as well just replace it.

[Brcobrem]

Hi again MrApplianceMatt,

Thanks again for the helpful suggestions. I don't have any water leaking on the floor that I can see. I also don't have any noticeable lateral or longitudinal play, or sounds from the rear of the unit. I just held a stethoscope in my fingers, pressed the fingers firmly on the drum, and rotated the drum slowly from ~3pm to 9pm and back several times. What I'm hearing is definitely coming from somewhere between 4pm and 6pm. Like I said , at least from the front, it's down on the right side. (Btw, I'm well aware that  machine/mechanical sounds have a way of projecting from positions other than their true source.)

I just watched a Youtube and getting the front gasket off and then the front panel looks doable for me. You're right though, I wouldn't recommend this job to a casual DIYer.

Btw, when you said, "...if you're going to go that far, you may as well just replace it." Are you talking about replacing the spinner support, or the whole washer? I just watched a Youtube and (at least for me), getting that basket out is doable. One video shows the basket hanging on a springs on the side. I'd like to verify those springs and motor dampers are still in one piece and secured. That said, I think (not sure though) that if a spring was broke, the whole basket would sink on that side.

I'll let you know how this pans out. Please let me know if you come up with any other ideas.

Regards . . .